With their opulent facades reminiscent of Gaudí and Hundertwasser, Freddy Mamani Silvestre’s buildings defy the otherwise thoroughly drab face of El Alto. Since 2005, self-made architect Silvestre has built some 60 mini-mansions in his native Bolivia. His vernacular is “Neo-Andean” and borrows motifs and colors from many Andean cultures, providing an aspirational style for the growing indigenous wealthy class that buys his houses. As always, there are some who mock, calling his houses “flamboyant spaceships for the nouveaux riches.”

Getting there from Germany

Lufthansa flies daily from Frankfurt (FRA) to Bogotà (BOG). Continue with Star Alliance partner Avianca to El Alto International Airport (LPB), which is located some 13 kilometers southwest of the capital, La Paz.